Post by HardTimeTrucker on Mar 7, 2009 17:06:42 GMT -5
Ken Riley Keeps Job Atop ILA
Other top offices in local undergo an overhaul
By Allyson Bird
The Post and Courier
In the latest election within Charleston's most visible maritime union, Ken Riley retained his presidency, but not without a strong showing by his challenger and a nearly complete overhaul of other key executive offices.
Ken Riley
Voting results from the International Longshoremen's Association Local 1422 moved Obafemi Akinjobi from recording secretary to vice president, unseating Robert Ford.
Yvette Flowers Davenport, daughter of former union president Benjamin Flowers, displaced Dorsey Montgomery as secretary and treasurer.
Riley attributed the change to the membership's desire to see people more representative of the group in key positions. That meant younger leadership.
"I never thought I'd see the day when I'm the oldest member of the executive board," said Riley, who is 55.
With more than 500 members voting, Riley won by 57 votes, according to his opponent, Kenneth Edmondson, who considered the slim margin a victory in itself.
"I did not have a plan to run for president. Members approached me in November," Edmondson said. "With the Lord's help and the members that supported me, I still feel like a winner."
A longshoreman for 32 years, Edmondson said he felt some animosity toward him during his run for office, but he said he avoided any negative tactics because he is a pastor at Christ Gospel Church of Charleston.
He took on Riley during an especially tumultuous period on the Charleston waterfront that brought critical focus on the ILA.
Maersk Line, the Port of Charleston's biggest customer, has blamed the ILA for its decision to depart the port after it could not reach a cost-saving agreement that the union would approve. Riley became the voice for the ILA's firm stance against a proposal that would have cut union jobs.
Edmondson said he decided to run to represent the workers who had shared concerns with him.
"I feel I gave some members who had a voice but who were not using their voice, I gave them courage to speak up," he said.
Of 10 ILA executive board positions, two incumbents remain in their slots and another, Akinjobi, was elevated to a higher office within Local 1422. The other seven positions are being filled by newcomers.
Riley said he did not interpret the narrow victory as a blow to his leadership, and suggested that the down economy and reduced working hours for ILA members likely were factors in the close election.
"When people are hurting and there are promises being made, you go for the hope. You go for the promise," Riley said. "Folks want their leadership to reflect their membership, much like what is going on in this country."
Riley has served as president for 12 years and began another three-year term after Friday's election. He is recognized nationally as a leader of the Longshore Workers Coalition, a group of dissident ILA members aiming to build what it calls a "stronger and more democratic" union.
Reflecting on the local election, Riley said, "Change must come. No leader, no elected official is exempt from their season."
Meanwhile, Edmondson looks toward the future.
"My campaign for 2012 began Friday," he said.
Other top offices in local undergo an overhaul
By Allyson Bird
The Post and Courier
In the latest election within Charleston's most visible maritime union, Ken Riley retained his presidency, but not without a strong showing by his challenger and a nearly complete overhaul of other key executive offices.
Ken Riley
Voting results from the International Longshoremen's Association Local 1422 moved Obafemi Akinjobi from recording secretary to vice president, unseating Robert Ford.
Yvette Flowers Davenport, daughter of former union president Benjamin Flowers, displaced Dorsey Montgomery as secretary and treasurer.
Riley attributed the change to the membership's desire to see people more representative of the group in key positions. That meant younger leadership.
"I never thought I'd see the day when I'm the oldest member of the executive board," said Riley, who is 55.
With more than 500 members voting, Riley won by 57 votes, according to his opponent, Kenneth Edmondson, who considered the slim margin a victory in itself.
"I did not have a plan to run for president. Members approached me in November," Edmondson said. "With the Lord's help and the members that supported me, I still feel like a winner."
A longshoreman for 32 years, Edmondson said he felt some animosity toward him during his run for office, but he said he avoided any negative tactics because he is a pastor at Christ Gospel Church of Charleston.
He took on Riley during an especially tumultuous period on the Charleston waterfront that brought critical focus on the ILA.
Maersk Line, the Port of Charleston's biggest customer, has blamed the ILA for its decision to depart the port after it could not reach a cost-saving agreement that the union would approve. Riley became the voice for the ILA's firm stance against a proposal that would have cut union jobs.
Edmondson said he decided to run to represent the workers who had shared concerns with him.
"I feel I gave some members who had a voice but who were not using their voice, I gave them courage to speak up," he said.
Of 10 ILA executive board positions, two incumbents remain in their slots and another, Akinjobi, was elevated to a higher office within Local 1422. The other seven positions are being filled by newcomers.
Riley said he did not interpret the narrow victory as a blow to his leadership, and suggested that the down economy and reduced working hours for ILA members likely were factors in the close election.
"When people are hurting and there are promises being made, you go for the hope. You go for the promise," Riley said. "Folks want their leadership to reflect their membership, much like what is going on in this country."
Riley has served as president for 12 years and began another three-year term after Friday's election. He is recognized nationally as a leader of the Longshore Workers Coalition, a group of dissident ILA members aiming to build what it calls a "stronger and more democratic" union.
Reflecting on the local election, Riley said, "Change must come. No leader, no elected official is exempt from their season."
Meanwhile, Edmondson looks toward the future.
"My campaign for 2012 began Friday," he said.